California Science Center Completes Construction on Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center
The California Science Center announced the completion of construction on its new Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center, a 20-story building that will house the space shuttle Endeavour in a vertical configuration. The center features three galleries with aerospace artifacts and interactive exhibits. An opening date is expected this summer, with plans to open by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Los Angeles TimesConstruction Completion Announced The California Science Center announced on Monday that construction has been completed on its new Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center.
The 20-story, 200,000-square-foot building rises over Exposition Park. The center anchors a $450-million campaign to permanently house the retired space shuttle Endeavour. The Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center is the culmination of a master project plan adopted in 1993.
It will nearly double the museum's exhibit space. The building design is by architectural firm ZGF Architects. The building features a 2,000-ton curved structural framework of diagonally intersecting steel beams called a diagrid.
The diagrid eliminates interior columns and allows unobstructed views of the shuttle stack. The shuttle gallery has dim lighting due to the shuttle's sensitivity to light.
Endeavour Shuttle Display The Endeavour space shuttle is displayed in a vertical 'ready-to-launch' configuration in the new addition.
This vertical display configuration of Endeavour has never been replicated with real hardware outside of a NASA or Air Force facility. The Endeavour display includes rocket boosters from manufacturer Northrop Grumman and a massive external fuel tank from NASA. Endeavour is a veteran of 25 missions from 1992 to 2011.
Endeavour arrived in Los Angeles in 2012 atop a modified Boeing 747, followed by a procession through city streets. It was exhibited horizontally in a temporary, tent-like structure known as the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion for over a decade. In early 2024, the space shuttle Endeavour was lifted and placed into its final upright position in an overnight operation.
The new installation includes several observation areas spanning the nearly 200-foot tall shuttle stack.
Gallery Features and Artifacts The Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center will be split into three galleries: air, space, and shuttle.
The three galleries will contain aerospace artifacts and hands-on exhibits demonstrating scientific principles. The Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, which houses the Endeavour shuttle stack, is nearest to completion. Artifact installation is well underway in the two other galleries.
The Korean Air Aviation Gallery explores the mechanics of flight and will display approximately 25 aircraft, including historical relics like the WWII 'Vampire' jet and modern supersonic jet fighters. The Kent Kresa Space Gallery will feature a wide array of spacecraft, planetary probes, telescopes and more. The air and space center has acquired a SpaceX Cargo Dragon.
The interactive installations include a 747 flight simulation and a 45-foot-long slide carrying visitors down to the bottom of the shuttle stack.
Future Plans and Statements The center is now focused on completing installation of the galleries' artifacts and hands-on installations.
An opening date for the Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center is expected to be announced this summer.
Story Timeline
6 events- 2026-04-13 (Monday)
California Science Center announced completion of construction on Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center.
1 sourceCalifornia Science Center - Early 2024
Space shuttle Endeavour was lifted and placed into its final upright position in an overnight operation.
1 sourceunattributed - 2024 (March)
Jeffrey Rudolph made his way across the science center campus.
1 sourceunattributed - 2012
Endeavour arrived in Los Angeles atop a modified Boeing 747, followed by a procession through city streets.
1 sourceunattributed - 1993
Master project plan adopted, culminating in the Samuel Oschin Air & Space Center.
1 sourceunattributed - 1992-2011
Endeavour completed 25 missions.
1 sourceunattributed
Potential Impact
- 01
Nearly doubles the museum's exhibit space, allowing for expanded public access to aerospace artifacts.
- 02
Permanent vertical display of Endeavour provides unique educational viewing opportunities not available elsewhere.
- 03
Interactive exhibits like the 45-foot slide and flight simulation enhance visitor engagement with scientific principles.
- 04
Culmination of $450-million campaign secures long-term housing for Endeavour, supporting ongoing community inspiration for 50 years.
- 05
Opening by 2028 Olympics could increase tourism and attendance at the California Science Center.
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